Bleed rings are a crucial component of hydraulic systems. They allow a controlled flow of fluid to escape when pressure builds up and help maintain safe levels of pressure in the system.
They are also easier to install and cheaper than orifice flange unions in brownfield applications. They come in any size or material and can connect with valves and instruments.
1. Prevents Pressure Build-Up
Bleed rings, also known as flushing rings, work by allowing fluid to escape when the pressure in the system reaches a set point. This prevents overpressure and helps maintain safe levels in the system, prolonging its life. They can be used with flanged diaphragm seals to help control fluid flow or provide access for field calibration.
Pressure injuries, also known as bedsores, occur when an area of the skin is compressed for a long period, and the blood supply to that region is cut off. These sores can be painful and may even lead to infection if not treated promptly. They can be prevented by routinely offloading pressure to the skin, changing position, and using pressure-relieving mattresses and pillows.
One method of offloading pressure is by performing a skin check. This involves pushing down and feeling for a cushion of air under the heaviest part of the body, such as the heel. Caregivers can also do a hand check by placing the palm up against the mattress overlay and feeling for a soft feel. A firmer feel indicates the patient is bottoming out and needs to be moved or changed.
Another way to prevent pressure ulcers is by removing excess moisture from the skin, especially around bony areas. A simple shower or bath can help with this, as can changing the position of a person who is seated for extended periods. This is why it is important for people who spend a lot of time in bed to change positions frequently and to be positioned in a manner that does not cause excessive pressure on the buttocks or back of the thighs.
Bleed rings can be used to help prevent pressure sores by allowing caregivers to easily bleed out any pressure built up in the piping. They can be found in a variety of sizes, materials, and configurations, depending on the application. These rings can be threaded or socket welded and come with different taps for connecting valves and instruments. They are available in a range of pipe NPS and flange ratings, making them ideal for use in brownfield applications.
2. Prevents Leaks
Bleed rings, also known as venting or drip rings, are useful tools for a variety of applications, including draining piping systems, attaching valves or instruments, or testing equipment. These ring sections fit between flanges, usually with one or two bleed ports in threaded or socket weld connections. They are available in different flange ratings and sizes to suit any process application.
When a piping system experiences excessive pressure, the bleed ring opens, allowing the fluid to flow from the high-pressure side to the low-pressure side. This reduces the pressure in the system, preventing damage and improving efficiency. Additionally, a bleed ring can serve as a safety valve, releasing pressure if it reaches dangerous levels, and can even prevent catastrophic failure.
O-rings are a popular and cost-effective sealing option for many piping applications, but they can wear out with continuous stress. A variety of factors contribute to O-ring failure, including improper installation, which can cause them to slip and fail. O-rings must be free of foreign material, properly fitted without forcing, and lubricated to remain functional. Incorrectly installed O-rings can damage equipment, lead to leaks, and require costly repair or replacement.
High-pressure applications often put regular stress on O-rings, which can cause them to deform and break down over time. This phenomenon is called extrusion and can be spotted by spiraled cuts on the edges of the seal. To avoid this, it’s important to choose an O-ring with a higher shore hardness and ensure that the mating surfaces are smooth and clean.
If you need help choosing the right flange gasket for your project, IMI PBM’s experts are here to guide you. We can provide a full range of options to meet your needs, including custom-fabricated products. All of our fabricated Bleed Rings are inspected and tested to guarantee quality, and we can provide you with ITPs, Weld Procedures, MDRs, and QA/QC documentation. We also offer packaging to protect your flanges for 2 weeks or up to 2 years. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you select the right flange gasket for your specific project.
3. Prevents Damage
Bleed rings are a critical component of a hydraulic system. They help to prevent overpressure, which can damage or even destroy the system’s components. The bleed ring will open when the pressure reaches a certain level, allowing fluid to flow out of the system and reduce the pressure. This prevents damage to the system and keeps it operating at an optimal level of efficiency.
In addition to preventing overpressure, bleeding rings also help to protect the flanges and other parts of the system from corrosion. The bleed ring will release the excess pressure when it reaches a certain level, allowing the system to drain and cool down. This will help to keep the flanges and other parts of your system safe from corrosion and prolong their life span.
A bleed ring (also known as a drip ring, flushing ring, or venting ring) is fitted inside the circular bolts between standard flanges to connect valves or instruments. It can be made of any material and is available in a wide range of sizes and ANSI ratings.
These rings are often used in place of orifice flange unions because they are easier to install and more economical. They are especially useful in brownfield applications. They are available in a variety of materials, including carbon steel and stainless steel. They can be welded, bolted, or inserted.
They can be used to drain piping, take samples, or make it easier to connect instrumentation. They can also be used to reduce or dispose of pressure from a valve or blind flange before removing it. This procedure is commonly used to replace leaky valves in a piping system.
Caman Engineering Bleed Rings and Flushing Rings are made of a wide range of carbon and stainless steel materials. They are designed to withstand any pressure-temperature combination that an ASME flange will withstand. They can be supplied with threaded or socket weld taps, in sizes ranging from NPS 1 to NPS 24, and ANSI ratings from 150# through 1500#. They can be provided with a standard shop primer or a corrosion-resistant finish. They are stamped with the size, flange rating, standard, material, heat number, Caman Engineering stamp, and production traceability code.
4. Prevents Fires
Bleed rings are a critical component of hydraulic systems, and they play a vital role in maintaining the safety, efficiency, and longevity of these systems. By ensuring that pressure management is managed in a safe and effective manner, bleeding rings prevent fires, leaks, damage to pipes and equipment, and other catastrophic failures that can occur when the system is under stress.
A fire requires three elements to ignite and spread – heat, oxygen, and fuel. Often, the source of a fire is due to one or more of these factors, so it’s important that we take precautions to eliminate the risk of these elements as much as possible. This includes implementing fire prevention strategies and carrying out full and comprehensive fire risk assessments in the workplace.
One simple way to reduce the risk of fire is to use a type of chemical called a flame retardant, which decreases the amount of heat, oxygen, and fuel that is available to a fire. This type of treatment is used in many different applications, including firefighting and in the manufacture of everyday products, such as mattresses, curtains, sofas, and TV sets.
Another way to mitigate the risks of a fire is by installing a specialized type of valve known as a pressure relief valve, which reduces or disposes of excess pressure before removing a flange. This type of valve is commonly installed on a bleed ring to provide easy access for draining piping, taking samples, or connecting instruments.
A bleed ring is an annular section with radial pipe fittings designed to fit between standard flanges within the bolt circle using conventional gasket materials. Normally, bleed rings are manufactured with 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch taps for connection to valves and instruments. However, bespoke taps can be supplied on request.
A bleed ring can be manufactured from a variety of materials, including carbon and stainless steel, as well as corrosion-resistant alloys like nickel and monel. Each bleed ring is manufactured according to the engineering or project specifications and comes with all relevant testing and certification. As an ISO 9001 manufacturer, Caman Engineering is able to produce bleed rings with stamped details, including the size, rating, standard, material, heat number, Caman Engineering stamp, and production traceability code.
